Verdict
For the Malaysian buyer, the RM392,800 BMW 3 Series M is the quicker, more focused choice: its 387 hp, 500 Nm inline-six and all-wheel drive deliver 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The RM294,800 BMW i4 trades that pace for lower running tax, at RM305 a year against RM2,125, plus a 70.3 kWh battery, 500 km claimed range and 180 kW DC charging. It is also the more practical hatch-backed sedan, with five doors and a powered boot, but gives away outright performance and 10 litres of luggage space.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and its adaptive M suspension matter more than the RM98,000 saving.
i4
Pick the BMW i4 if 500 km EV range, 180 kW DC charging and RM305 annual road tax suit your daily use better.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds; BMW i4 282 hp, 400 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive; BMW i4 rear-wheel drive.
- Running tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year; BMW i4 RM305 per year.
- Energy and charging: BMW 3 Series M has a 59-litre petrol tank; BMW i4 has a 70.3 kWh battery, 500 km range, 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC charging.
- Practicality: BMW 3 Series M has four doors and a 480-litre boot; BMW i4 has five doors and a 470-litre boot.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm inline-six
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time with all-wheel drive
- Adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering and M Sport differential
- RM98,000 more expensive
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM305
- Four doors versus the i4's five doors
i4
- 500 km claimed EV range and 180 kW DC charging
- RM305 annual road tax
- Five doors and powered boot
- 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.4 seconds
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- 2,075 kg kerb weight and a 470-litre boot versus 1,800 kg and 480 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800 | RM294,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 387 hp at 5,800 rpm | — |
| Torque | 500 Nm at 1,900 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 282 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 500 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 180 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,075 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | BMW Laser LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used 3 Series M & i4 for sale
3 Series M vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW i4 better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for performance, with 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW i4 is better for lower annual road tax, EV driving and five-door access.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM98,000 more than the BMW i4.
Can the BMW i4 charge quickly on a long trip?
Yes. The BMW i4 supports DC charging at up to 180 kW and has a claimed 500 km range from its 70.3 kWh battery. Its AC charging rate is 11 kW.
